Torpedo tube cover



Aug. 25, 1964 J. T. GONDEK TORPEDO TUBE COVER 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR e/QHW 7. 0NDEK AWEW :V D OIIbUDIlP'b waw Original Filed March 22, 1956 n d d AT o o o o q o dJ a o o? usk Aug. 25, 1964 J. T. GONDEK TORPEDO TUBE COVER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed March 22, 1956 INVENTOR JOHN T, GONDEk Aug. 25, 1964 J. T. GONDEK TORPEDO TUBE COVER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed March 22, 1956 INVENTOR Jo/m/ T Go/V05K 111%.; (Q 3'36 ATTORNE 8 THEE CiEVER .l'ohn T. Gondola Minneapolis, Minn, assignor, by mesne assignments, to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Griginai appiication Mar. 22, 19%,Ser. No. 573,306, now iatent No. 3,199,343, dated Nov. 5, 1963. Divided and this application May .22, 1%57, Ser. No. 66%,939

1 Claim. (Cl. 89-1) This invention relates to a covering or casing for use with a torpedo launching tube. More specifically it relates to an insulating casing for substantially preventing the heat from heating elements in the tube from escaping therefrom and to perform a deicing function.

This application is a division'of the copending application of John T. 'Gondek for Tor edo Tube and Method of Making the Same, Serial No. 573,306, filed March 22, 1956, now US. Patent No. 3,109,343.

When the torpedo launching tube of the character set forth in the parent application is to be used in inclement weather below the 32 degree freezing point, it is desirable to have some means for maintaining the torpedo launching tube at a temperature above freezing and in a condition of immediate availability for instant use over long periods of time. it is also desirable to have some means for deicing the cover for the afore-mentioned torpedo launching tube.

It is a feature of this invention to provide a covering for a torpedo tube of novel and simple construction and which is adapted for convenient use with a torpedo tube of a-character adapted for use on the deck of a ship.

It is an object of this invention to provide an elongated cylindrical tube adapted to receive a torpedo launching tube, the same having an outer deicing casing of flexible material overlying a cushion layer whereby ice can be removed therefrom by repeated blows delivered thereto.

In correlation with the foregoing object, it is 'a further object to provide such a structure wherein the flexible material is preferably treated so that ice will not adhere tightly thereto and the cushion layer is of an insulating material.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the deicing and insulated casing for a torpedo launching tube;

EH12 is a partial vertical section taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the deicing casing on the launching tube as seen from the rear end of the tube encased thereby;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the deicing casing as seen from the rear end of the torpedo launching tube and the opposite side from that shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective View looking at the deicing casing on a tube from the muzzle end of the tube with the rear portion of said casing swung down from the tube;

FIG. 6 is a View in elevation of the deicing casing looking at the rear end thereof;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section as viewed from a line substantially corresponding to line 7-'7 of FIG.

launching tube.

3,145,613? Patented Aug. 25, 1964:

l and illustrating the manner in which the sides of the casing are connected under the tube;

FIG. 8 .is a partial vertical section View taken substantially along the line 88 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the bottom portion of the casing with the bottom sides in position to be drawn together and connected.

The torpedo launching tube, not shown, but of the general outline illustrated by FIGS. 3 through 5 is accessible for torpedo loading as indicated at 1, FIG. 5, and fires the torpedo from the muzzle end generally indicated at 7. The details of the operating mechanisms for this launching are described with greater particularity in the afore mentioned parent application. it has an outer clcicing' and insulating casing 10 which, together with tube heating elements incorporated in the launching tube as discloced in the parent application, maintains a minimum tube temperature of 34 degrees F. and, in addition, performs a deicing function. This casing consists of a one inch layer of flexible sponge plastic insulating material '11, FIG. 7, cemented to a layer 12 of vinyl impregnated canvas. An exterior View of casing 15), as installed on the launching tube 1, is shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, and a plan view of the main piece of the same, separated from the tube, is shown in FIG. 1. Said piece 12, as shown .in FIG. 2, has a flexible resilient sponge insulating material 11 and a canvas portion 12, which are substantially rectangular in plan. At its breech end the casing has a construction as shown in FIG. 4 comprising metal rings 13 of D-shape secured to the canvas layer 12. Ring members 13 are secured by layers of fabric 14 stitched to the canvas 12 as shown in FIG. 8. These rings 13 are spaced along the rear end of casing Referring again to FlG. 1, the sheet 15' which is substantially rectangular in form is stitched along one side 16 to the canvas 12 and has openings at 17 spaced along its ends and the side thereof opposite side 16. Rings 13 are secured to canvas 12 and disposed to extend through the openings 17. The sheet 15 extends over the control panel and the top thereof as shown in FIG. 3 and aheavy cord or a rope 19 is passed through the rings 18 at the top of sheet 15 so as to hold the sheet in place.

Qne end of the rope is secured to a D-ring 2th at the lower left-hand corner of sheet '15, as shown in FIG. 1, and the other end of the rope is secured to a similar D-ring 21 at the lower corner of sheet 15. Sheet 22 is stitched to canvas .12 and forms a pocket for the breech door of the torpedo launching tube when the latter is removed from the tube. in H6. 5 the breech door 2 is shown'in the afore-mentioned pocket. In front of sheet 15 another sheet 23, FIGS. 1 and 4, of generally rectangular shape is sewed at one end 24 to the canvas 12. Sheet 23 has spaced openings 25 around its other three sides and D-rings 26 secured to sheet 12 extend through these openings. A rope 27 extends through Brings 26 over the top of sheet 23, with the ends thereof being secur'edto rings 28 at each end of the seamed side 24. Sheet 23 covers the tripping and lifting latch casing of the Another sheet 29 of rectangular form is sewed along one side 3% to the sheet 12 and the same has openings 31 spaced along each end thereof.

Rings at 32 are connected to sheet 12 and extend respectively through openings 31. A rope 35 which may be fastened at its ends, as shown in FIG. 3, to the rings 33 at the opposite ends of the seamed side 35' of sheet 39 w extends through the rings 32 above the sheet. A pair of tubular members 34 extend from the forward side of sheet 29, the same having open ends. The cables and conductors for the rotary switch, not shown, of the torpedo launching tube pass through members 34. Sheet 29 has a portion extending from the seam line 35' in FIG. 1 toward the tube and the members 34 are connected to this portion. Sheet 29 partially covers the switch box generally located at 4 of the launching tube assembly.

The breech end cover portion 36 of the casing 10, FIGS. 3 through 6, is configured to provide an upper semicircular end and a lower rectangular end. This cover portion 36 has a portion 37 extending forwardly at right angles to its upper end portion which is provided with a number of spaced openings 38. This latter portion extends over the sheet 12 and the rings 13 on sheet 12 extend through the openings 38. A rope 42 extends through rings 13 and above sheet 37, the ends of which rope are secured to the end rings 13.

Another sheet 39 disposed some distance forwardly of sheet 23 is sewed to sheet 12 on one edge 40 thereof. Sheet 39 is of rectangular form and has a number of spaced openings 41 extending about the other three sides thereof. A rope 43 is secured at its ends to rings 44 adjacent each end of the seamed side of sheet 39 and passes through rings 55 secured to sheet 12 and projects respectively through the holes 41. Sheet 39 covers the housing located at of the stop mechanism on top of the launching tube.

Sheet 12 has secured thereto at each side transversely aligned portions 45 and '70, respectively, which are shaped in cross section as shown in FIG. 2. These portions extend over the front tube supports generally located at 6, FIGS. 3 through 5, and are retained by straps 71 which are retained by buckles at 72.

Another sheet 46 is secured to sheet 12 at the front end of the latter. Sheet 46 is of generally rectangular form and has downwardly extending side portions 47 at each side thereof. A reinforcing piece 48 is secured at one side of sheet 46 and another reinforcing piece 49 is secured at the other side of said sheet. These pieces reinforce the seams at the corners of sheet 46. Sheet 46 extends over the upwardly projecting portion of the muzzle door operating mechanism of the launching tube and its housing at 7, best illustrated in FIG. 5. The sheet 46 is shown in position on the tube in FIGS. 3 and 4.

A strap 5% is secured along the front end of sheet 12, the same extending through keepers 51 and having a buckle 52 at one end. Another strap 53 extends along the front end at the other side of sheet 12, the same extending through keepers 51 and having a buckle 54 disposed at one end thereof. Strap 53 has holes at its other end and connects with buckle 52. When the casing is installed on the launching tube, straps 5t) and 53 extend around the front end of the tube, as shown in FIGS. 4

and 5, and hold the casing snugly in place at the front end thereof. Strap 51 connects into buckle 54 at the lower side of the launching tube 1. The sheet portion 46 does not extend over the muzzle door 7, and does not interfere with the opening of the door.

A strap 56 is secured to sheet 12 at the lower righthand end portion, FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, and this strap enters the buckle 57 on member 36. Another strap 58 is secured to the opposite side of sheet 12 and the same engages a buckle 59 secured to portion 36 when said outer casing is installed on the launching tube. The breech end portion of casing 10 is drawn snugly about the forward side of the support generally located at 8 of the launching tube by straps 6t and 61, FIG. 9. The support 8 has a considerable vertical dimension as it extends upwardly to the cylindrical surface of the launching tube. Strap 6t) cooperates with a buckle 62 on strap 61. Straps 60 and 61 are respectively secured to portions 63 and 64 at the bottom of casing 10 which extends substantially at right angles to portions 65 and 66. Portion 63 forms a gusset. Member 64 forms a rectangular insert to extend partially over valve casing generally located at 9, FIG. 4. A gusset 67 extends from portion 29 to the main portion of sheet 12. In FIG. 9 the observer is looking up at the bottom of the casing on the launching tube with portion 29 on the left side thereof.

Sheet 12 has strips 65 and 66, FIG. 7, respectively, secured thereto adjacent its side edges and extending parallel to the latter. Continuing to refer to FIG. 9, strips 65 and 66 are provided with spaced openings 68. When casing 14) is installed, strips 65 and 66 overlap and are held together by lacing extending through the holes 68. A flap 73 is formed at one side of sheet 10 at the outer portion of strip 65, and when casing 10 is installed this flap extends over strip 66, the parts being positioned as shown in FIG. 7.

A tubular member 69 is connected to the lower side of casing 10 adjacent the rear end thereof for the passage of air and electrical connections.

Casing 10, as stated, assists in maintaining the tube at the desired temperature. By virtue of having the portions 15, 23, 29 and 39 secured at only one side and capa ble of being loosened at the other three sides, access can be had to the parts covered thereby. The upper part of portion 36 can be loosened to give access to the breech door. Part 36 is sewed along its bottom edge to' sheet 10 so that it cannot be entirely removed. It can be let down to permit operation of the breech door of the launching tube.

The tube when mounted to the deck of a ship is subjected to spray and may become heavily coated with ice during periods of inclement weather. Ice does not adhere tightly to the treated layer 12. By pounding on the ice with a mallet the same readily breaks loose from the canvas layer 12 in comparatively small pieces. The yielding of layer 11, under said mallet blows, assists in breaking the ice into small pieces. If the ice were permitted to freeze on the metal tube it could only be removed with much labor and difiiculty. The muzzle door is kept free of ice by a heater included in the structure thereof and described with greater particularity in the parent application. Ice of six inches in thickness can be removed from the control panel portion of the casing 10 in approximately thirty seconds. Six inches of ice can be removed from the remainder of casing 10 in about four minutes. Casings 10 also assists in keeping the tube and torpedo from undesirable high temperature in tropical climates and protects the equipment against fungus growths. The casing 10 permits the tube to flex in the normal manner. This is one of the functions of this casing.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claim the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

A casing for enclosing a torpedo launching tube mechanism of a character including an elongated tube adapted to receive a torpedo, mechanisms for launching a torpedo from said tube, a closure member for the breech end of said elongated tube and a muzzle door for the muzzle end thereof, said casing comprising a generally rectangular deicing and insulating member of flexible material, said member having pieces of said material permanently secured thereto along one side of said pieces and removably secured thereto at their other sides, said pieces extending over projecting parts on said tube, said member having a removable portion covering the breech end of said tube, said portion having a part extending substantially around the tube at its breech end and having a lower portion extending downwardly therefrom and being of substantially rectangular form and an additional door- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hardrnan Oct. 19, 1943 Bogg Dec. 5, 1944 Daam July 2, 1946 Marick July 23, 1946 Myers July 13, 1948 Larkin Dec. 5, 1950 Loewe Sept. 2, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland Dec. 13, 1910 

